6/57 Cartel by Unknown maker circa 1880
Bought via Cullens Auctioneers.
Great set of well known tunes but unfortunately I can't identify the maker from the tune sheet and neither can the experts.
Although a similar sheet exists (Bulleid 234) that too has not been connected to a particular maker so we may never know.
The youngest tune is the last one, Grandfather's Clock, written in 1876, so the box was probably made about 1880.
Great set of well known tunes but unfortunately I can't identify the maker from the tune sheet and neither can the experts.
Although a similar sheet exists (Bulleid 234) that too has not been connected to a particular maker so we may never know.
The youngest tune is the last one, Grandfather's Clock, written in 1876, so the box was probably made about 1880.
First report
Box lid detached and one hinge missing. Banding missing in places and needs re-polishing.
Mechanism runs with help. Stop mechanism does not work due to broken spring.
Cylinder does not return to 1st tune due to build up of dirt & oil.
One lead weight detached from bass end of comb. Several missing dampers.
Box delivered to The Musicbox Restorer for the comb to be restored.
Box lid detached and one hinge missing. Banding missing in places and needs re-polishing.
Mechanism runs with help. Stop mechanism does not work due to broken spring.
Cylinder does not return to 1st tune due to build up of dirt & oil.
One lead weight detached from bass end of comb. Several missing dampers.
Box delivered to The Musicbox Restorer for the comb to be restored.
Movement disassembled and cleaned with Horolene.
Spring removed from motor housing, degreased, replaced and greased with Horoglide.
Bedplate stripped of paint using rotary wire brush and repainted.
Partly reassembled but not running well.
Packing required under cylinder bearing as great wheel too close to governor causing it to run slow.
Now runs better, but a bit off line.
The entire box had been to The Music Box Restorer for the comb to be restored. Retrieved on 17th October and now running beautifully.
Spring removed from motor housing, degreased, replaced and greased with Horoglide.
Bedplate stripped of paint using rotary wire brush and repainted.
Partly reassembled but not running well.
Packing required under cylinder bearing as great wheel too close to governor causing it to run slow.
Now runs better, but a bit off line.
The entire box had been to The Music Box Restorer for the comb to be restored. Retrieved on 17th October and now running beautifully.
Started on the box 20th May 2022
All panels and the lid have been made to look like rosewood using a technique called "Scumble" where a softwood has been treated with stain and then a final coat brushes on to make it look like woodgrain. This is very difficult to repair.
Fortunately the finished is in fairly good shape, except for the lid which had seven pieces of stringing missing.
I cut new ones and then gave them a coat of black French polish before glueing them in place.
All surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned with a proprietary furniture cleaner.
The black surfaces given a first coat of black French polish. The "Scumble" surfaces were given a coat of Milands wax polish for dark wood, left to dry and then buffed.
Box reassembled with new hinges and movement reinstated. 5th June
All panels and the lid have been made to look like rosewood using a technique called "Scumble" where a softwood has been treated with stain and then a final coat brushes on to make it look like woodgrain. This is very difficult to repair.
Fortunately the finished is in fairly good shape, except for the lid which had seven pieces of stringing missing.
I cut new ones and then gave them a coat of black French polish before glueing them in place.
All surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned with a proprietary furniture cleaner.
The black surfaces given a first coat of black French polish. The "Scumble" surfaces were given a coat of Milands wax polish for dark wood, left to dry and then buffed.
Box reassembled with new hinges and movement reinstated. 5th June
